Jim Skeffington, the new owner of the Pawtucket Red Sox, has died, according to a PR representative of the family

Published May 18, 2015 at 8:48 AM | Updated at 12:46 PM EDT on May 18, 2015

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The man who became the public face of a plan to move the minor league Pawtucket Red Sox to a proposed riverfront ballpark in Providence has died in the midst of the effort, leading to questions about the next step for the team.

James Skeffington, 73, president of the Pawtucket Red Sox, died Sunday of a heart attack while jogging near his home in Barrington, according to a team spokeswoman and his brother.

Rep. Carlos Tobon, a Democrat from Pawtucket, said Skeffington was the biggest advocate for keeping the team in the state.

"He was the glue of keeping it in Rhode Island," Tobon said. "I don't think the conversation is even about Providence right now. It's about keeping them in Rhode Island."

Skeffington bought the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox in February with a group of 10 that includes Boston Red Sox President and CEO Larry Lucchino.

When the ownership group announced the purchase of the team from the widow of its longtime owner Ben Mondor, it also revealed a controversial and potentially expensive decision: The team would leave Pawtucket's McCoy Stadium and hoped to build a stadium on state-owned land that was opened up by the relocation of Interstate 195.

Last month, the team proposed a deal under which it would pay $85 million to build a stadium, but it asked for help from taxpayers to the tune of $120 million over 30 years. It also wanted to be exempt from real estate taxes.

The plan landed with a thud. Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo said the plan was not fair to taxpayers, and many lawmakers came out against it. The team's owners said this month that they're working on a new approach, though they have given no details.

Skeffington in recent days had been visiting community groups and others to talk about his vision, making several pitches as recently as last week.

A spokeswoman for the Boston Red Sox did not immediately return an email seeking comment.

In Rhode Island, several elected officials expressed shock and sadness about Skeffington's death and expressed their condolences to his family. They also had their own ideas about what this means for the future of the team.

House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello called Skeffington a legend. He was a prominent lawyer who had been involved in high-profile development projects, including the Rhode Island Convention Center and Providence Place mall.

"It is tragic that he did not live long enough to see his vision for the Pawtucket Red Sox come to fruition, but he left a legacy that will live on for generations to come," Mattiello said in a written statement.